Glenn Roeder has insisted that Newcastle United will not be making any "short-term panic buys" in this month's transfer window.

And this despite the fact that the United squad goes into the second half of the season absolutely decimated by injuries and with the fans impatient for new faces.

Roeder is trying to give United a solid base for the future, but because of all the club's injuries he has to balance the long-term plan with his immediate needs.

And he told me today: "There are not a lot of quality players out there at the moment, but this does not mean we cannot find two or three players who will suit our needs.

"We have had Seppe Rossi on loan but can still take another couple in this transfer window and that's what we may have to do.

"What I do not want to do is to sign players who we will be lumbered with for the next three-and-a-half years.

"There is a saying in football that while you cannot hide good players, you cannot get rid of bad players, and we want to avoid that."

As revealed in the Chronicle on December 12, United are still keeping tabs on Peter Crouch's situation at Liverpool, and I hear the Merseyside outfit have been asking about Mark Viduka just in case they sell their England striker.

Certainly Crouch's claim that he is happy at Anfield was to be expected. But my information is that if Rafael Benitez does not want him, then the beanpole striker would jump at the chance to come to St James' and form a little and large partnership with Oba Martins and Michael Owen.

But United have not renewed their interest in Viduka, and talk of them being interested in Everton's James Beattie and Kevin Davies at Bolton Wanderers is pie in the sky.

And no matter how many phones calls Joey Barton's agent Willie McKay makes to Tyneside, the Manchester City midfielder will not be coming to St James' Park.

United's priority is a couple of defenders, but talk that Lucas Neill, Matthew Upson, Steve Warnock, Chris Riggott and Jonathan Woodgate are heading this way is y wide of the mark.

There has also been talk in London that Fulham are interested in Titus Bramble, but Roeder says: "We are not in a position to let any of our players go."

Roeder has to try and get the best out of Albert Luque, but I am sure that if a Spanish club wanted to take him on loan with a view to a permanent move then United would agree to this.